The ministry issued a note rejecting reports of drug shortages. (Representative)
New Delhi:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a statement refuting recent media reports pointing to a shortage of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs in India and questioning the efficacy of these drugs under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) .
The ministry has labeled these reports as vague and ill-informed, lacking specific information on the availability of anti-tuberculosis drugs in stock, read the press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis involves a regimen of four drugs available as 4 FDC (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide) for two months, followed by three drugs available as 3 FDC (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol) for another two months.
It is important that there are sufficient supplies of all these medicines, with a supply for six months or more.
For multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, treatment usually consists of four months of seven drugs, followed by five months of four drugs. In approximately 30 percent of cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis, cycloserine and linezolid may be necessary, read the press release.
The procurement, storage and distribution of anti-tuberculosis drugs and related materials are managed centrally under NTEP. In rare cases, states have been asked to purchase specific drugs locally for a limited period of time to ensure uninterrupted individual patient care.
For example, Maharashtra has procured Cycloserine tablets centrally, and some states have delegated procurement to districts as needed.
The ministry shared the current stock status of anti-tuberculosis drugs in Maharashtra and nationally to dispel any doubts over shortages.
Stock position at national level (as of September 24, 2023) – Cycloserine – 250 mg: 14,79,857 units, Linezolid – 600 mg: 9,95,779 units, Delamanid – 50 mg: 11,37,802 units, Levofloxacin – 250 mg: 28 85,176 units, Levofloxacin – 500 mg: 33,27,130 units, Clofazimine – 100 mg: 12,86,360 units, Moxifloxacin – 400 mg: 2,72,49,866 units, Pyridoxine: 2,72,99,242 units, read the press release.
The ministry emphasizes that there is no shortage of essential anti-tuberculosis drugs as there is over 15 months’ supply available for Moxifloxacin 400 mg and Pyridoxine under NTEP.
In addition, Delamanid 50 mg and Clofazimine 100 mg were procured in August 2023 and supplied to all states and Union Territories.
Purchase orders have been issued for delivery of Linezolid-600 mg and Cap Cycloserine-250 mg in August 2023, shipping these drugs to the United States.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare assures that significant efforts are being made to ensure the availability of these crucial anti-TB drugs, with regular assessments being conducted to evaluate stock positions at various levels, from central warehouses to peripheral health institutes.
Therefore, media reports are considered vague and ill-informed and do not accurately reflect the actual stock of anti-TB drugs in the country.
